It was almost a year ago that Rocky and Inez first got in touch with us. They reached out because their shingled roof was old and worn and they had begun to see water damage in the bathroom ceiling and in Rocky's bedroom. They were worried about continuous damage and especially mold, with Rocky's medical conditions. We helped them apply for a USDA grant and they were approved! Before we could actually get volunteers on site, Rocky spent 7 weeks in the hospital, having trouble breathing. He made a recovery and we started work shortly after.
Starting in October, we host five Adults in Ministry weekends. We started our work by removing all of the existing shingles. There was a significant amount of rot on the roof deck so we made lots of structural repairs. In just a couple of weekends, Rocky and Inez had a new metal roof! We then turned our attention to a few other things. Next, volunteers built a ramp to help Rocky get in and out of the home safely. We also addressed that some of the bathroom floor had rotted and had become a fall hazard for Rocky. Then we made repairs to the sheetrock on the ceilings of the bathroom and bedroom, removing everything that had become damaged by water. We accomplished all of this in the fall.
In March, two more college-aged groups continued the work. This time around, we were focused on removing anything that hurt Rocky's breathing. This meant removing the old carpet throughout the house and installing an easy to clean vinyl plank. We discovered a few more structural concerns as we removed the carpet and were able to address those as well. At the end of a couple of weeks, all of the allergens had been removed and Rocky and Inez had safe and sturdy floors!
When we asked Cody, the contractor closest with the project what impact he has witnessed the past few months he said “The change that I have been able to see in Rocky and Inez over the last several months has been incredible. Their home is safer and healthier for them in many ways and I know Rocky especially is feeling the effects of that. I've also seen them begin to take so much pride in their home. As we progressed, Inez was working side by side with us and began to clean up other areas of the house we weren't in. They have also opened up relationally from being a little nervous and hesitant at the start to welcoming every group in and looking forward to the next one. They have been a perfect example of what is possible when we show up, meet families where they are and work together making repairs and building relationships!”
We have been blessed with the opportunity to work with Rocky and Inez this fall and spring.
